7370Record late Rufous Hummingbird - Garfield County

Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a call about a hummingbird using a
feeder in Battlement Mesa/Parachute. This morning, with snow lightly
falling, I set traps at the water plant adjacent to the Colorado River.
It took a little patience, but before long I had in hand a hatch year
female Rufous Hummingbird. She is in healthy condition, weighing a
hearty 4.4 grams. That she is carrying excess fat deposits suggests
she could migrate on. However, Kathy Miller, the lab tech at the plant
who has been maintaining the feeders said the bird showed up about
October 23, after all other hummers had left.

We set up an additional feeder with a red warming lamp to keep the sugar
water thawed, and the bird is returning to feed. The area along the
river gets very cold at night but the riparian vegetation and
surrounding sage harbors flying insects throughout the day. I expect
the hummingbird will do fine. It will be interesting to see how long
she stays.

According to The Birds of Western Colorado and Colorado Birds, the
latest date recorded for Rufous Hummingbird in Colorado is October
25th. If anyone learns of late fall or winter hummingbirds, I would
appreciate an opportunity to check them out. Many thanks to Kathy
Miller and the other good folks at the Battlement Mesa Water Plant for
their hospitality.